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Asked by: CHANDRASHEKAR I own a 2016 Renault Duster RxS diesel manual that has run 1.3 lakh km. My daily driving is around 40 km, with monthly trips of about 300 to 400 km. It is due for service, the suspension feels weak, and I may need to replace the clutch. The tyres were changed around four years ago, and it has only one airbag. Should I retain the car and carry out repairs, or opt for a new one? If buying new, should I go for petrol or diesel, considering my usage will reduce significantly over the next five years? It's not worth holding on to your 2016 Renault Duster diesel MT as it is almost 10 years old and at 1,30,000km, has already lived its best life. As the model is long discontinued, parts availability will prove to be an issue in time; given its age, bigger issues will start to crop up (such as the suspension, as you have pointed out), and yes, it's not as safe as modern cars with higher mandated safety standards.Apart from all this, with ever-tightening emissions regulations, an old diesel engine like the 1.5 K9K will become increasingly difficult in the future.It's a great time for an upgrade, as there are many new models arriving soon. For one, the new-gen Renault Duster will arrive on January 26, and promises to have everything we loved about the old car with more creature comforts. It will no longer have a diesel engine, however, but given that your usage is going to be lower, it could work out just fine for you.If you must still have a diesel, check out the new Kia Seltos, which will be launched on January 2, 2026. While not the most powerful engine, it is smooth and refined, and the Seltos, on the whole, is an excellent package. Asked by: Pawan I have been using an i20 Sportz for the last 15 years and it has only clocked 87,000 km. I am now planning to buy a new car within a budget of ₹15-16 lakh, preferably automatic. My prime concerns are mileage, maintenance, and safety. My driving will increase compared to my previous car, probably around 1,000-2,000 km per month, mostly on highways and sometimes in the city. Please suggest some good options. The new Kia Seltos with the 1.5 litre petrol and IVT (automatic) is the one you should consider. It is available across multiple variants, and you should find a decently equipped variant in your budget. The new Seltos is more spacious and rides better than the outgoing car, too. If you want something smaller yet fully loaded, you can consider the new Venue Turbo-DCT. Asked by: Anantha I am looking to exchange my WagonR petrol automatic for a compact SUV. My car usage is 80% in city traffic for daily office commuting, with an average of 600 km per month. My priorities are safety, ease of driving, and reliability so the car runs every day without unexpected breakdowns. I am considering the Hyundai Venue, Skoda Kylaq, and Mahindra 3XO. Please provide your opinion. The Skoda Kylaq nicely meets your priorities. Unlike others in the segment, the Skoda Kylaq comes equipped with a torque converter gearbox, which is the smoothest type to have. You will appreciate this, given that most of your driving is in city traffic. As for safety, the car is well equipped and has secured a 5-star BNCAP rating too. While Skoda has not been known for its reliability, the Kylaq has so far been performing well. And as for easy to drive, the Kylaq will not disappoint you as it feels light enough for the city, and the dimensions are nice and compact. Asked by: Ragz I already own a Creta Electric and am now a fan of electric vehicles. I need a new 7-seater for around ₹22-24 lakh. My running will be very low - about 500 km per month, plus 3-4 long trips a year of around 350 km one way. I’m confused between the Mahindra 7XO and the 9S (2P pack, 70 kWh), as they seem very similar, and the decision will mostly depend on final pricing. Which one should I buy? Are there any other options you can suggest? The Mahindra XEV 9S is a large car, but its last row isn't comfortable for adults over long drives. Hence, if you need a comfortable seven-seater for long drives, consider the Turbo petrol versions of the Kia Carens Clavis and Tata Safari instead. There's also the Kia Carens Clavis EV in this range, which shares its battery+motor with the Creta Electric. However, on your 350km+ highway drives, you will have to stop and charge once, as its real-world highway range is about 345km as per our tests Asked by: Shrey Aggarwal Hi, I am currently driving a Ford Figo Aspire Diesel and want to upgrade to a new car. My budget is around ₹18–22 lakh. I am considering the XEV9e, XEV9s, or the new Seltos Turbo Petrol. My running is mostly in the city, about 600 km per month. I need good driving dynamics and am open to other options. Please suggest. If you don't need an additional row of seats, opt for the Mahindra XEV 9E instead of the Mahindra XEV 9S, for its driving manners. It is quick, the steering makes it surprisingly easy to drive, and its ride-handling balance truly feels world-class. There are some good discounts available on the XEV 9E, so you could get a good deal. The new Kia Seltos turbo-petrol is an excellent option too. However, no ICE vehicle can match the smoothness and seamlessness of an EV, and simply for that reason, the XEV 9E is the better option. Asked by: Ankur We are a family of 4 having a 2013 Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire regal clocked 2L+ kms and now we want a new car with good performance, good features, reliable, easy to maintain, light on wallet, don't have to worry for 8-10 years. Roads are not that good, occasionally hits Highway, sometimes drives on village roads, monthly driving of approx 1500-2000km along with some days of going nowhere not even starting the engine, want comfortable ride, budget of 20-30 lakhs please suggest some good options Since you need an extremely fuel-efficient automatic five-seater, we'd recommend you consider a Maruti Fronx/Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.2 Petrol AMT. Besides, the engine has adequate performance for your highway drives, and will be smooth for city use. Moreover, its high ground clearance will be handy on bad roads. These cars are likely to be quite reliable, so you can expect a trouble-free ownership experience. Asked by: Jitendra I want to buy a new manual car. My usage will be short city drives, nearby weekend trips, and 2-3 monthly trips to my hometown (approximately 300 km round trip). The car should have good ground clearance to handle poor roads in town. My budget is ₹10-12 lakh (on-road). My priorities are safety, comfort, mileage, and decent rear seat space. I also want a sunroof. I have shortlisted the 3XO, Syros, Nexon, and Kyaq, but I’m open to other suggestions. Are all five-star safety ratings equally safe? Should I choose CNG, petrol, diesel, or naturally aspirated or turbo? Since your usage is limited, the premium you will pay for a CNG or diesel version over the turbo-petrol might not make sense. Hence, stick to their turbo-petrol versions only. Both, the Mahindra XUV 3XO and Skoda Kylaq are great options, with strong engines, a comfortable ride and confident handling. The XUV 3XO is more spacious, while the Kylaq has a bigger boot. The Kia Syros is an excellent, well-rounded car, too, but its entry-level variant, which is decently equipped otherwise, doesn't get a sunroof. Hence, since you want a sunroof, within Rs 12 lakhs, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 is the one for you. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
